The Charnel Throne

War and death rip the Queen from her sleep screaming in terror, blood in her mouth. Three elves of prophecy are desperately sought but only two are found. The total destruction of the elves has begun. A madman seeks revenge in the darkness orchestrating terror to feed a nameless evil, awake once more. None knows the real reason for all the bloodshed but wherever blood flows, the Grey Ones howl. More

Across the Raavea Seas is a paradise, a green and growing land of thick forests and crystal clear streams running from tall snow-capped mountains; lived a proud and beautiful feline race called the Tel’Raa. Living in harmony with the land and all she provides. The Tel’Raa has a very special link to the sentient Ancient Forest, who loves and cherishes her children. But lately, the beautiful Tel’Raa Queen has been having dreams. A Seeker and true Dreamer of powerful prophecy, all she can see in the future for the Tel’Raa is war, slaughter, and so much bloodshed that it stains their land. In the shadows is a horrific skull-like figure, feeding on the blood and terror. Each night the Queen wakes screaming, her heart pounding, desperate to believe none of it will come about. The Crown Prince, the tall golden-maned leader, Kano to his fighting Raa; makes the heartbeats of all the young women beat a little faster whenever he walks their way. He too is plagued by dreams, but his are of a different kind. Prince Taur is embroiled in sendings of such heat, such eroticism that his body is constantly filled with the burning need to find the breath-takingly beautiful elfin woman of his dreams. He can no longer think, no longer concentrate on anything else until he has her in his arms. He wakes sweating and aroused, desperately needing release from the burning passions that drive him half-crazed each night. The seductive green-eyed nymph that comes to him in the night has captured his heart and soul completely. None know that a great wave of terror is about to break on their beautiful shores. That an ancient evil, intent on revenge against the elves, is looking for ‘Three Elves of Power’ that together have the ability to destroy him. But as yet, the three elves in question have no idea who they are, or how their world is about to change irrevocably. The elves in Ardhon hear of problems in the Calendor Islands, but the elves have become lethargic and complacent over the centuries. Besides, it was a human problem; let them deal with it. The elves have forgotten their first love as Caretakers of the Forest Mother, keeping them in touch with the land, and she mourns their absence. The enemy has gained a foothold in the land and all around him, the countries and their people have noticed nothing. A slave escapes; trying to warn those he loves and the evil is spurred into action, determined to get to his slave’s homeland first, before the slave has a chance to warn his people. The slaughter takes on a crazed personal twist as the invaders reach the Tel’Raa people’s peaceful shores and the slave finds only terror and bloodshed, and a nasty surprise waiting for him as punishment for his escape ... he has come far … far … too late. Prince Taur finds one of the many gifts left by the unspeakable evil, so many terrible deaths; as the Prince visits Tribe Yaavan. Tribe Yaavan, known for its caretakers and nurturers, sowers and harvesters, was a place of great fields and fertile crops; the food basket for the Tel’Raa. Everywhere Taur walks he leaves thick, wet footprints of blood squelching behind him. He sees torn bodies dismembered, slaughtered without thought as terror was etched permanently on their once beautiful features. There are no survivors; none escaped the blood-red slaughter. It seemed that the invaders tried to literally paint everything in a coating of blood and gore, everywhere was the cloying scent of freshly spilled blood. He cradles a young cub’s head, all that the Prince can find of the beautiful boy; knowing it will tip the balance. Crown Prince Taur shakes his head, as his hands become taloned weapons while he rips and tears at an invisible enemy. The look in the Prince’s eyes is all steel and death. He roars his fury as his huge veins throb, pulsing with power, shattering the tranquillity of the night. He roars a warning to those who would hear, “I am coming for you. Your death is in my hands.” The Tel’Raa people were going to WAR!

My name is Debs Goddard, I have wanted to write for as long as I can remember and would write short stories and poetry for my own and my children’s entertainment. I met my husband Ian when I was nineteen and in a bike gang. Ian asked me to marry him the morning of the third day after we’d met and I said yes. We were married eight months later. I was diagnosed with cancer for my 23rd birthday and again at my 39th birthday. In between this time, we managed to have three lovely children that I treasure. From the time I had cancer at 23 my husband, who was working as a nurse then, looked after me and became a dad who did everything. He cooked, cleaned, and worked very hard keep our family together. I was in terrible pain and he was the best husband and shoulder to cry on I could ever have had. He went back to school during this time, and then to university to become a teacher, and studied for four years to achieve this aim thinking it would provide a better future for our family. In the next ten years, I was in and out of hospital getting surgery twice a year, but sometimes ending up in hospital five or six times a year depending on how badly my body reacted after each surgery. No matter what happened, my darling was there for us. I had never dreamed of having a support like Ian, especially as sometimes he had to work during the day as well as at night while still being the house hubby we needed. I have been happily married for 30yrs now and we are still going strong. As time passed and I gave up the wheelchair because five years ago I was able to begin walking again, and getting healthy enough to do things for myself. During my time of illness, there wasn’t much I could do, but I had worked as a commission artist for the entire time Ian was looking after us. I am a self-taught artist and I wanted to illustrate my own stories, or adult fantasy or even children’s books, but I always wanted to put two things I am passionate about together to be able to achieve what I have always wanted to do. This has been my dream for my whole life, because for thirty-three years I have been in constant chronic pain as a result of my illness and my surgery. I am on a lot of heavy painkillers to keep me up and moving; for the first time in too many years, I am able to do something I have always wanted. So I hope you enjoy it. I just want someone to give me a chance to follow my dreams.